the forbidden hunter, second case

chapter 11: older and stronger

With the others in mistral they were having a feast for the reunited members, telling stories on how they got to mistral, and who Cassidy was.

So you're a sibling to Cas and Catie, no way, Weiss said.

Yeah, I have a long past I want to forfeit, Cassidy said.

As the pot was drained to the bottom, Yang showed off her robotic arm.

A robotic arm, haha, it's not bad, Nick said.

It's not a replacement for the real thing, but i'll make sure to make good use of it, Yang said.

That's amazing, Jaune said.

It makes me think of my grandpa's arms he crafted, though they are in process... I think, Aniki said.

Ruby however was amazed by it.

And it's just as strong? Ruby said, looking at it in full detail.

Sure is, Yang said.

Just then Nora slammed her arm on the table.

Wanna bet? Nora said in confidence.

Arm wrestling! Nairi said in joy.

Just then Yang and Nora took on each other to see if Yang was right.

Everyone was cheering for either of the girls.

It definitely feels like the original, I'll give you that, Nora said.

Yep, but it does have new features, Yang said.

Oh yeah? Nora said, challenging her.

Just then in a second Nora hit the wall.

What the? What happened? Nick said in confusion.

Did she win? Jaune said.

Oh it can do that, Nairi said.

Nora soon recovered to see that Yang's arm was in her hand, making scream and tossing it back.

It detaches! I get it! Cassidy said.

After a few laughs, Jaune and Nick began to clean up.

Yeah we ate it all, oh i think i'm going to be sick, Jaune said.

Relax, I've cleaned up messes on my probations, Nick said, carrying half of the dishes.

The others then talk about the past, mostly about their acts, ages, and personas they once had.

They soon had a talk with Weiss and Yang about the info they got.

It was quiet as they gave them the backstory about the situation they're in.

So the maidens, magic, Salem, it's all true? Weiss asked.

Uh-huh, Qrow said.

Ms. Xiao long is this more or less what your mother told you? Ozpin said as he was taking his turn with Oscar's body.

Weiss pondered her response.

For the most part, she said.

You forgot something, you forgot to tell everyone what you did to Qrow and my mother, Yang said.

W-what did you do? Aniki asked.

Hmm, that's not a secret I thought she would give up so easily. Your mother must trust you a great deal, Ozpin said.

Yang didn't respond.

Uh, my ability to reincarnate though a curse isn't without a few key benefits, much like the maidens. I too possess a certain magical power, he said as he stood up.

Using this power I was able to gift the Branwen twins to see more, to move freely, and unburned by their natural bodies. I... well, gave them the ability to turn into birds, rather ridiculous sounding out loud isn't it, Ozpin said.

Wait what? Jaune exclaimed.

Uncle? Ruby questioned.

You turned them into birds? Ren said.

Alright, now you're just messing with us, Nora said.

What else is new? Jaune said.

He's telling the truth, we saw it, Yang's mom changed, right in front of us, Weiss said.

Why would you do something like that, I mean what is wrong with you? Yang said.

Yang, that's enough. We made a choice, we wanted this, Qrow said.

May i? Ozpin asked.

He then walked to Yang to calm her down.

Granting this power to them was no trivial task and i can assure you it was not done frivolously, i required assistance in gathering information on Salem's plans, as well as searching for maidens when their host became unclear, Ozpin said.

But still, if you're telling the truth, why did Yang's mother lie? Nick said.

But I also like to ask, did you do this with anyone else? Nairi asked.

Yes, centuries ago, I sacrificed a great deal of magic to four young women, who I hoped would use my gift for good, they were the first maidens, Ozpin said.

So you're basically the grandfather of the maidens, Aniki said.

Yes, and ms. xiao long, it was never my intention to lie to you, to any of you, there are matters that i prefer to "play close to the chest", i believe that's how you phrased it? Ozpin said.

Yep, Qrow said.

Everyone has a choice. The Branwens chose to accept their powers and the responsibilities that came with them. And later one of them chose to abandon her duties in favor of her own self-interest. Now all of you have a choice, if anyone wishes to leave now is the time, there's no shame or disgrace in abstaining, only in retreat, Ozpin said.

Everyone went quiet as he said it.

Very well then, Ozpin said.

Just then Yang stood from her spot.

If Ruby sticks around, then I will too. If there's one thing I know about her, it's that she somehow always knows the right thing to do, Yang said.

Everyone smiled from the compliment.

But if we're going to help, we're going to risk our lives, no more lies, no more half truths, yang said.

That's what I like to see, Aniki said.

Yang then sat back down.

So what now? I mean what can we do? Jaune asked.

Hmm, that's a difficult question, one that I believe will be answered tomorrow, Ozpin said.

So as in we wait, good, I want to show Raven that she's not a strong huntress, Cassidy said.